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| Friday, 03 September 2010 14:16 |
Goodbye to the "Good Giant"Former Benfica/Portugal great Jose Torres passes away The Portuguese football community is in mourning. The fraternity has lost an icon in the game as Jose Torres passes away at the age of 71.
The one-time Benfica striker Torres was also known as the "Good Giant" for his imposing figure, standing at almost a full two metres tall. He fell victim to Alzheimer's disease after a long battle. Torres was a member of the glorious Benfica teams of the 1960s, and after having joined in 1959 from Torres Novas at the age of 20, the Portuguese goal-scorer went onto an an illustrious carrer with the Aguias, winning 9 domestic championships, 3 Portuguese Cups and 2 European titles (but did not play in either). A career surely to be envious of, the domineering marksman, who formed a lethal partnership with the living legend Eusebio, also won the scoring title in the 1961/62 season and appeared in the 1963, '65 and '68 European Cup finals. In 1971 Torres went on to spend four years at Vitoria de Setubal and ended his career in 1980 with Estorial-Praia. Torres was also an important figure for the Portugal national team, scoring 14 goals in 34 apperacnes, having helped the team to a third-pace finish at the 1966 World Cup - the player's and country's highest achievement at international level. As if his playing career were not enough, Torres also had relative success as a coach with his biggest accolade coming in 1986 when he qualified Portugal for the World Cup (only their second appearance at the time). The Portuguese icon leaves a legacy which many can marvel at and as a human being, whom many can admire. Jose Augusto da Costa Seneca Torres
(8 September 1939 - 3 September 2010) "I am very hurt. He was a simple person. He only drank cool drinks and always walked with candy in his mouth," Former Benfica captian Mario Coluna. "I would like to pay my homage to a 'good man' who left us today and who was more than just a reference for SL Benfica, but a reference for Portugal. He was someone who taught us always to believe in our capacities. A man of character who encountred a terrible illness in his final years. For us, an example will remain and the responsibility to honour his memory," Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira. "He was an exceptional player and a man of great courage. He was always connected to the great moments of our national team. As a player, I will never forget the contribution he made to the team during the 1966 World Cup finals in England. It was the first time in Portuguese football that the national team truly affirmed themselves at international level," FPF president Gilberto Madail. by Marco Pereira
Comments (6)
ALS
6
Sunday, 05 September 2010 00:07
John-USA
Research is starting to link ALS with head trauma. Turns out NFL players and soccer players have something like 8 times the chance of getting this disease. Was Torres know for heading the ball? Probably, given he was a tall striker. Obrigado, Jose!!!
Legend
5
Saturday, 04 September 2010 00:34
Fresh/Canada
Sad day for Portuguese soccer he was a great player also part of a great era. My prayers go to the family.
Benfica and Portugal Great!
4
Friday, 03 September 2010 22:25
Felipe/London
R.I.P. legend in the Portuguese game !
A Great Hero!
3
Friday, 03 September 2010 19:28
Tony, CA
I read about him as a kid and my dad always spoke well of Torres. One of the Portuguese greats and a national hero who is a legend!
R.I.P
2
Friday, 03 September 2010 18:17
SupremoGino
My condolences go out to the family. He fought a long battle. Hopefully he's now in peace with God.
Unfortunate
1
Friday, 03 September 2010 15:56
Joa BAptiste
GREAT player for both club and country and was a great pairing with another POrtuguese icon in EUsebio.
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